Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Might be worth one minute to listen to Wayne East from the CO department of Ag on that subject yesterday. Video should start at the correct spot.

This is what I have heard about the egg market. Strictly rumor.

The high cost being charged by the supermarkets is not being passed to the producers, so coupled with the loss of birds due to the HPAI producers aren't restocking in as large a volume.
 
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This is what I have heard about the egg market. Strictly rumor.

The high cost being charged by the supermarkets is not being passed to the producers, so coupled with the loss of birds due to the HPAI producers aren't restocking in as large a volume.
It seems like, for farms that have to depopulate and intend on staying in business, this would be a good time to bring their operations into compliance with regulations that will go into effect in 2025.
 
How will that increase infection? Cage free chickens aren’t free range. They are still confined within the building.
They are forcing an already limited product seeing high demand and high prices into an higher and more costly production state…

This will increase the cost of production, and as a result that cost will be passed onto the consumer. It has not hit yet but it will hit, likely at the same time…

So as you are forced to depopulate huge flocks they are bleeding money right now and the double whammy requires a complete change of the method of production.
 
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They are forcing an already limited product seeing high demand and high prices into an higher and more costly production state…

This will increase the cost of production, and as a result that cost will be passed onto the consumer. It has not hit yet but it will hit, likely at the same time…
Colorado producers were already in 100% compliance with regulations that went into effect on 1/1/23 prior to this hpai outbreak.

Bigger picture, we should just have free-range chickens throughout all the Colorado suburban turf yards, cleaning up bugs, scraps, and weeds, and whoever can attract the chickens to their coop keeps the eggs.
 
They are forcing an already limited product seeing high demand and high prices into an higher and more costly production state…

This will increase the cost of production, and as a result that cost will be passed onto the consumer. It has not hit yet but it will hit, likely at the same time…

So as you are forced to depopulate huge flocks they are bleeding money right now and the double whammy requires a complete change of the method of production.


I understand. I thought you were meaning that cage free farming would lead to higher influenza rates.
 
Montana says hold my beer

Three juvenile grizzly bears tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus this fall. The three bears, one near Augusta, one near Dupuyer, and another near Kalispell, were observed to be in poor condition and exhibited disorientation and partial blindness, among other neurological issues. They were euthanized due to their sickness and poor condition. These were the first documented cases of HPAI in grizzly bears. A fox and a skunk in Montana also tested positive for HPAI last year, and the virus has been found in raccoons, black bears and even a coyote in other states and countries.

“We suspect these mammals probably get the virus from consuming infected birds,” said FWP Wildlife Veterinarian Jennifer Ramsey.
Our local zoo had multiple large cats and a bear die this fall

 
It seems like, for farms that have to depopulate and intend on staying in business, this would be a good time to bring their operations into compliance with regulations that will go into effect in 2025.
It's my understanding that most were in compliance with the "cage free" requirement alreay, however replacement costs have risen, but what purchasers are paying the producers isn't corresponding to the increased end user purchase price. So the producers aren't buying hens and the supply is significantly down.
 
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It's my understanding that most were in compliance with the "cage free" requirement alreay, however replacement costs have risen, but what purchasers are paying the producers isn't corresponding to the increased end user purchase price. So the producers aren't buying hens and the supply is significantly down.
If you listen to what was said in the presentation above, all producers were in compliance with the rules that went into effect on January 1 this year, which is one square foot of space for each chicken. The final regulations don't go into effect until January 1, 2025.
 

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza linked to deaths of black bear and mountain lion in Colorado, adding to a growing list of species susceptible to HPAI in the U.S.

02/09/23

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife has identified several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in free-ranging wildlife. A black bear from Huerfano County was affected by the disease in October, a skunk from Weld County was found to be positive for the disease in November, and a mountain lion that died in Gunnison County was recently confirmed to have the disease. Testing was conducted by Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

HPAI has already killed thousands of wild birds in the U.S., including in Colorado. This strain of HPAI was first confirmed in wild geese in Northeast Colorado in March of 2022.

All three of the confirmed cases showed signs of HPAI before or after death including neurologic symptoms such as seizures or circling, general signs of illness such as weakness or lack of responsiveness to human presence, and organ damage including encephalitis, hepatitis, and pneumonia. Other similar suspected mammalian cases have been detected in the state, with confirmatory testing pending.

The Huerfano County black bear was euthanized Oct. 8, 2022, by a CPW wildlife officer after he saw it having seizures. Its remains were frozen until it could be transported to the health lab for testing. A necropsy revealed the bear had signs of HPAI, prompting CPW to test for HPAI. Later in October, a black bear in Alaska tested positive for HPAI.

“The decision to humanely euthanize the animal by our wildlife officer was made following the abnormal behavior and knowledge that numerous infectious diseases cause neurological symptoms,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Mike Brown. “Extremely ill animals have difficulty moving and often act abnormally. While clinical signs of numerous diseases may be observed, diagnostic laboratory testing and necropsy services help determine the actual cause of death.”

The Gunnison County mountain lion was found dead just outside of Gunnison city limits on Jan. 15, 2023, in an area where mountain lion activity is commonplace. The mountain lion had necrosis in the liver and bronchointerstitial pneumonia, which have been seen in domestic cats with HPAI, so this also warranted HPAI testing.

“Similar to many local species, mountain lions move through our communities on a regular basis as they travel between seasonal ranges throughout the year,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Brandon Diamond. “It was only a matter of time before the first HPAI case was confirmed in Gunnison County based on known cases in adjacent counties. While this is an interesting case study with the lion, it’s important to point out that HPAI has been documented previously in a variety of mammals from across the country. In Gunnison County, CPW routinely investigates reports of sick and injured wildlife and is always interested in hearing from the public if they encounter something that doesn’t look quite right.”

A number of mammalian wildlife species have been affected with the current strain of HPAI in the U.S. including skunks, foxes, black bears, bobcats, coyotes and raccoons among several others. It has even been detected in marine mammals. These mammals likely become infected by feeding on wild birds that are sick or have died of HPAI; however, not every mammal that consumes a sick bird will develop HPAI. These recent Colorado cases add to a growing list of affected wildlife species.

Despite the variety of mammalian species susceptible to HPAI, the numbers of mammal cases are currently low. The majority of cases confirmed during this HPAI outbreak are in wild and domestic birds. The most commonly affected wild birds in Colorado have been geese, as well as the raptors and other scavenging birds that eat goose carcasses.

CPW continues to stress the importance of keeping your distance from wildlife, and specifically not handling sick or dead birds. Although rare, some HPAI strains can infect people. Links to recommendations for hunters and risks to pets are included below. The main protection for the general public is to avoid handling sick or dead birds and keep your distance from wildlife. See the CDC website for more information on protective actions for people.
 

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